The mayor of Tasman says promoters of a petition for his council to be amalgamated with Nelson City are using heavy-handed tactics to gain signatures.
Nelson councillor Aldo Micciois is promoting the petition, which needs the support of 10% of voters to have the merger proposal referred to the Local Government Commission.
Mr Micciois says the required number of Nelson voters have signed the petition, and about 1000 more names are needed from Tasman.
Tasman's mayor Richard Kempthorne says presentation of the petition has been over the top and people have been pushed to sign.
However, Mr Miccio disputes this and says he cannot understand how anyone could be forced into signing.
He says it's high time the costs and benefits of a merger between the neighbouring councils are properly considered and expects the petition to be presented to the Local Government Commission next month.
